My first Pinkeep

I can sew and I can embroider, plus loving to fiddle about making things this much is true... and have as long as I can remember. The trouble was as I got older with more demands on my time, I just couldn't find the time and was continually frustrated about it. In my local area cross-stitch is not a big hobby, so the choice of designs and supplies is pretty limited, mainly to Lavender and Lace, Miribilia and DMC/Lanarte kits if your lucky. Which, whilst there is nothing wrong with them I would get bored before I got the time to finish them. I would go to the Knitting and Stitching show once a year which is where I discovered some Shepherd's Bush, Lizzie Kate and Just Nan. Now to my limited knowledge this was just about it for the stitching world..........until.........I discovered the internet and what treasures in the way of linens (I only thought you got linen in 28ct white or cream 32ct if you were very lucky), threads (I only knew about DMC and Anchor) and all the stunning charts and kits and charms and all the other array of beauties that are out there for a stitcher :-)))

After this huge break through of a discovery for me, my sister (Su) knowing what I like, one day sent me a link to an album.......not much you may think!!! Ah, but....I had kind of discounted much stitching based purely on the fact I was not into big designs (remember, I thought that was all there was) and then through Vero's album I first discovered 'smalls' imagine my delight !!! My eyes were growing bigger and bigger and I loved them as Su had quite rightly said...."they were right up my street" ....lol. Next I went on to discover more albums then blogs and I must say there are some beautiful pieces of work out there. I think I am mainly influenced by the French ladies stitching and I personally find it very inspiring, maybe due to my French ancestry. who knows...lol??

So now I have a bit more time to get my needle out , I even started my own blog a few months ago. As I now realise that I can be an embroiderer/stitcher without the need to do a massive project. I am so happy about this, so much so I cannot tell you :-))) it's like a whole new world has come to life for me again.


This little scissor fob is from the Mary Garry 'Get Well Sweetie' chart, I changed the colours as I wanted them a bit stronger than the recommended ones. I stitched this 1/1 on 32ct and made my own cording for the first time which was great fun and so easy I don't know why I waited!! I finished it with some small pearl beads...




Seeing this shape pinkeep that Vero and Nataliejo have from the Merry Cox one (see how you ladies influence me...lol) I really fancied to have one of my own so following Vero's instruction on how to do a square pinkeep (can still be found on her blog) which I'd had a trial run at doing an ornie for my daughter a few months ago....we have below my very first pinkeep....ta da!!! Stitched 2/2 on 32ct with chiffon ribbon edging and pearl effect pins.




I am so pleased with how they have turned out, I think they might be my favourite things I've made, probably because I like small things so much!!




I have also had a busy week doing a couple of other small things that are finished but they are for birthday gifts so I can't show them yet (watch out Su for the end of the week).....I am also planning on making a start on the Merry Cox Shaker Spool Holder which is a very late start for me (due to getting supplies needed) with the SAL on Danielles blog once I have finished what I have to do. I have all my things at the ready to start now, thanks first to Sandra and then Nataliejo who has so very kindly sent me the silk gingham for the finishing, so there is no stopping me now!! Take a look at the stunning MC Shaker Spool Holder Nataliejo has done , I hope I can do mine as nicely :-)

So thats about it for now, have a great week and I'll be back soon.....